A petition calling on the government to block public funding for Ian Huntley's funeral has surpassed 40,000 signatures. The Soham murderer could have his funeral or cremation paid for by taxpayers unless his family makes alternative arrangements.
Justice secretary David Lammy has come under pressure to prevent any funeral or prison memorial service costs being covered by the taxpayer or prison service. The petition - entitled 'Do not use public money to fund a funeral or memorial for Ian Huntley' - was launched on Sunday (March 8).
In August 2002, Ian Huntley murdered ten-year-old Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire. Huntley died in prison on March 7 following an assault by an inmate at HMP Frankland.
A long-standing Ministry of Justice scheme requires the prison service to contribute up to £3,000 of public money towards funeral costs for any prisoner who dies in custody. Prison protocol also mandates a memorial service organised through the prison chaplaincy.
Carly Batley, 47, from Deal in Kent, who launched the petition, said: 'There were so many missed opportunities with Huntley. He should never ever have been allowed anywhere near children. The system failed Holly and Jessica and their families, and they deserve better now.'
Huntley's daughter, Samantha Bryan, 27, has said she does not believe her father deserves a funeral and thinks his ashes should be flushed down the toilet. Former prison governor Ian Acheson said Mr Lammy has the authority to override prison service policy.
